Beneficial-insect
Guides
Podabrus fissus
soldier beetle, leatherwing
Podabrus fissus is a soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, first described by LeConte in 1881. As a member of the genus Podabrus, it shares the characteristic elongate body form and soft, flexible elytra typical of leatherwings. The species is found in North America and exhibits the aphid-feeding behavior common to many Cantharidae.
Podabrus knobeli
soldier beetle
Podabrus knobeli is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is native to North America and is one of approximately 160 soldier beetle species found in California. As a member of the genus Podabrus, it shares the characteristic elongated body form and aphid-feeding habits common to this group of beneficial garden insects.
Podabrus modestus
soldier beetle
Podabrus modestus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. Adults measure 8.5–11 mm in length. The species occurs in eastern North America, including Canada and the United States. Like other soldier beetles, it is active during the day and commonly found on flowers and foliage.
Podabrus quadratus
soldier beetle
Podabrus quadratus is a soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it is recognized by its elongate body and contrasting coloration of dark brown to black with orange, red, or yellow markings. The species has been observed actively hunting aphids and other soft-bodied insects on vegetation. Adults are diurnal and frequently encountered on flowers or foliage infested with honeydew-producing insects.
Podalonia argentipilis
Cutworm Hunter Wasp, Cutworm Wasp
Podalonia argentipilis is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, subfamily Ammophilinae. Females hunt soil-dwelling caterpillars (cutworms), paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. Unlike most sphecid wasps, this species digs the burrow after capturing prey rather than before. The species is part of a genus of nineteen North American species that are frequently mistaken for Sphex or Ammophila wasps due to similar body plans.
Procleticini
Procleticini is a tribe of stink bugs within the family Pentatomidae. Members of this tribe are predatory, distinguishing them from many plant-feeding pentatomids. The tribe includes genera such as Podisus and Stiretrus, which are recognized as beneficial insects in agricultural contexts.
Pselliopus barberi
Orange Assassin Bug
Pselliopus barberi is a predatory assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the orange assassin bug. It is distinguished by its striking orange and black coloration, which serves as aposematic warning coloration. The species is found in North America and is active from spring through autumn. It is a generalist predator that hunts on flowers and vegetation, using stealth to capture small insects such as leafhoppers.
Pseudodynerus
mason wasps, potter wasps
Pseudodynerus is a small Neotropical genus of potter wasps (Eumeninae) currently containing 16 recognized species. These solitary mason wasps are characterized by their striking black and white coloration and their habit of nesting in pre-existing cavities in wood. Females provision their nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their developing larvae. The genus extends northward into the eastern United States, where at least one species, P. quadrisectus, is well-documented.
Scarites
big-headed ground beetle
Scarites is a genus of large ground beetles in the family Carabidae, containing over 190 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Near East, North America, and North Africa. These beetles are characterized by their disproportionately large heads, prominent mandibles, and elongated, somewhat flattened bodies that superficially resemble tropical stag beetles, though they are not closely related. Both adults and larvae are active predators that hunt soil-dwelling invertebrates. When disturbed, Scarites beetles exhibit thanatosis—folding their legs and arching their backs to feign death.
Scarites stenops
Scarites stenops is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described in 2010. Like other members of the genus Scarites, it is a predatory beetle active in soil and ground-level habitats. The species is found in North America, where it contributes to biological control of soil-dwelling pests.
Scarites subterraneus
Big-headed Ground Beetle, Pedunculate Ground Beetle, Tunneling Large Ground Beetle
Scarites subterraneus is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the big-headed ground beetle. Adults measure 15.0–30.0 mm in length and possess distinctive large mandibles with two teeth, adapted for capturing and consuming prey. The species is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, and has been introduced to Europe. It is primarily nocturnal, spending daylight hours concealed under logs, rocks, soil, and leaf litter. Molecular studies have identified two subspecies: S. subterraneus nebraskensis and S. subterraneus arkansensis.
Sceliphron
black-and-yellow mud dauber wasps, black mud-dauber wasps, mud daubers
Sceliphron is a genus of solitary sphecid wasps comprising 34 valid species, commonly known as black-and-yellow mud daubers or black mud-dauber wasps. Females construct nests from mud, building individual cells that they provision with paralyzed spiders as food for their larvae. The genus exhibits remarkable synanthropic behavior, with many species readily nesting on human structures. Several species have become invasive outside their native ranges, including S. caementarium (native to North America, now widespread globally) and S. curvatum (native to Central Asia, spreading through Europe and recently detected in North America).
Scolia dubia haematodes
Blood-tailed Scoliid Wasp, Blue-winged Digger Wasp
Scolia dubia haematodes is a subspecies of digger wasp in the family Scoliidae. Adults are recognized by iridescent blue-black wings, black body, and reddish-brown terminal abdominal segments. Females hunt scarab beetle grubs in soil, paralyze them with a sting, and deposit eggs on the living hosts. The developing wasp larvae consume the grubs, making this taxon a significant biological control agent of turfgrass and garden pests.
Scolia mexicana
Scolia mexicana is a digger wasp in the family Scoliidae, distributed across Mexico and the southern United States. As a parasitoid, females locate scarab beetle grubs underground, sting them to induce paralysis, and deposit eggs on the living hosts. The wasp larvae develop by consuming the immobilized grubs, eventually pupating within the host burrow and overwintering before emerging as adults. Adults have been observed visiting flowers for nectar, particularly members of the mint and aster families.
Scolia nobilitata
Noble Scoliid Wasp
Scolia nobilitata is a species of scoliid wasp native to North America. Adults are active in late summer and autumn, when they visit flowers for nectar. Females are parasitoids of scarab beetle grubs, locating hosts underground, paralyzing them with a sting, and laying eggs on the immobilized larvae. The species is considered beneficial for biological control of turf-damaging white grubs.
Scolia nobilitata nobilitata
digger wasp
Scolia nobilitata nobilitata is a subspecies of digger wasp in the family Scoliidae. It is a solitary parasitoid that hunts scarab beetle grubs in soil. Adults emerge in August and are known to visit flowers for nectar. The subspecies is distinguished from related taxa by abdominal coloration.
Scolia nobilitata tricincta
Scolia nobilitata tricincta is a subspecies of digger wasp in the family Scoliidae. As a parasitoid of scarab beetle grubs, it locates white grubs beneath the soil surface, tunnels through dirt to reach them, delivers a paralyzing sting, and deposits an egg on the grub's skin. The larva consumes the living grub before spinning a silken cocoon to overwinter, emerging as an adult the following August. Adults are distinguished from the related Scolia dubia by having four yellow or off-white spots on the abdomen rather than two.
Scoliidae
Scoliid Wasps, Mammoth Wasps
Scoliidae is a family of solitary aculeate wasps comprising approximately 300-560 described species worldwide. They are robust, often large-bodied wasps with distinctive corrugated wing tips. Females are parasitoids of scarab beetle larvae, using their stings to paralyze hosts before depositing eggs. The family exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males have longer antennae and more slender bodies, while females possess shorter antennae and true stingers. Scoliids are considered beneficial insects due to their role in controlling scarab pest populations.
Sinea diadema
Spined Assassin Bug
Sinea diadema is a North American assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the spined assassin bug. The species exhibits bivoltine life history, with adults active primarily in late summer and autumn. It is an active predator of small insects, often associated with flowering plants in open habitats. The species overwinters in the egg stage.
Sphecius speciosus
Eastern cicada-killer wasp, cicada killer, cicada hawk
Sphecius speciosus is a large, solitary digger wasp and one of the largest wasps in eastern North America. Females hunt cicadas, paralyzing them with venom to provision underground nest cells for their larvae. Despite their formidable size and appearance, they pose minimal threat to humans—females rarely sting unless roughly handled, and males lack stingers entirely. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females substantially larger to accommodate egg-laying and prey transport duties.
Stagmomantis limbata
bordered mantis, Arizona mantis, bosque mantis, New Mexico praying mantis
Stagmomantis limbata is one of the largest native mantids in North America, reaching approximately 3 inches in length. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless, robust, and typically plain green or gray with a dark spot on the tegmina, while males are slender, long-winged, and capable of flight. The species is notable for female-emitted sex pheromones that attract males, with pheromone production linked to female nutritional status and receptivity. Sexual cannibalism occurs, particularly when females are food-limited.
Syrphus opinator
Black-margined Flower Fly
Syrphus opinator, commonly known as the black-margined flower fly, is a species of hover fly in the family Syrphidae. Adults are frequently mistaken for honey bees due to their similar appearance and behavior. The species is found in western North America, including the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and California. Like other members of the subfamily Syrphinae, its larvae are predatory, feeding on aphids.
Syrphus rectus
Yellow-legged Flower Fly
Syrphus rectus is a hover fly (family Syrphidae) commonly known as the yellow-legged flower fly. It is frequently encountered in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, with occasional records from Europe. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of stinging Hymenoptera, with black and yellow abdominal banding. Both life stages serve ecological functions: larvae are aphid predators, while adults visit flowers for nectar and contribute to pollination.
Tachypompilus ferrugineus
rusty spider wasp, red-tailed spider hunter, red-tailed spider wasp
Tachypompilus ferrugineus is a large spider wasp (family Pompilidae) native to the Americas, ranging from Canada through the United States to Central and South America. Adults measure 15–25 mm in length and are characterized by reddish-brown coloration with four narrow dark abdominal bands and distinctive violet-blue wings. Females hunt and paralyze large wandering spiders, particularly wolf spiders (Lycosidae), to provision underground nests for their larvae. Males exhibit perching behavior on elevated structures and compete for access to females. The species includes nine recognized subspecies with variable geographic distributions.
Tachypompilus ferrugineus nigrescens
Tachypompilus ferrugineus nigrescens is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is a large, solitary wasp that preys on moderately large wolf spiders (Lycosa species), which it paralyzes and provisions in underground nest cells for its larval offspring. The subspecies has been documented forming aggregations at specific nesting sites, where males perch on elevated surfaces and compete for access to females.
Thesprotia
Grass-like mantids
Thesprotia is a genus of small, cryptic praying mantids in the family Thespidae. Species in this genus are known for their grass-like appearance and exceptional camouflage among vegetation. The genus contains 14 Neotropical species, with most distributed in South America and one species, Thesprotia graminis, occurring in the southeastern United States. These mantids are considered beneficial due to their predatory habits.
Thesprotia graminis
American grass mantis, grass-like mantis
Thesprotia graminis is a small, cryptic mantid native to the southeastern United States. It exhibits remarkable camouflage resembling pine needles or grass blades, achieved through both coloration and posture. The species is notable as the only member of its genus occurring outside South America. It can reproduce both sexually and parthenogenetically.
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